By Wayne Turner

Updated on 3 April 2014

1 Hungarian Don Front Reserve Forces 1942 to 1943

With the onset of winter the 1st Field Armoured was These units along with 168. Infantriedivision (168. ID) and withdrawn to the front reserve covering both the Hungarian the Hungarian 1st Armoured Field Division were organised Second Army and the Italian Eighth Army and immediate into Corps Cramer as the reserve for the sector. reserve forces were organised from Divisional and Corps troops. The Soviet Attack Both the Huszár units of the light divisions and corps and the On 3 January 1943 the Soviets launched several probing Bicycle Infantry of the Corps were taken out of the immedi- attacks against the Second Hungarian and Eighth Italian ate front line and placed behind them as a local reserve in case Armies, these attacks were successfully fended off. of breakthroughs and to counter penetrating raids. The storm broke over the Second Hungarian Army on 12 When combined together a Hungarian corps had two bat- January. The 40th Soviet Army launched from the Uryv talions (6 companies) of Huszár cavalry and a further two bridgehead into the 7th Light Division (7th LD) and the companies of Bicycle Infantry. German 429. Infantrieregiment. The Germans and the 35th Infantry Regiment (7th LD) were able to hold their positions, To support these troops were small platoons of machine-guns, but the 4th Infantry Regiment (7th LD) was overrun. mortars and guns. In addition they had access to support from corps artillery and anti-aircraft batteries. On this first day the Soviets were able to drive a 6km wide gap between the III and IV Corps, penetrating up to 3km. Winter 1942 to 1943 13 January saw Soviet attacks concentrate on the 20th Light to the north of Uryv. The 20th Light were supported by the By mid September 1942 the Second Hungarian Army remains of the 7th Light and German 429. IR. At dawn both had settled into defensive positions along the Don River. corners of the Uryv bulge were still held. A counter-attack Unfortunately a general lack defensive supplies like mines was launched by the four battalions of the III Corps reserves and barbed wire and a shortage of labour meant only the supported by the German 700. Herespanzerverband. By the defensive areas immediately around the bridgeheads could end of the day the German Panzer force had just four Panzer be adequately fortified. The Don River itself was not the 38(t)s remaining. The Hungarian troops engaged had been formidable obstacle it would seem, being shallow and easily smashed by continuous and un-relenting Soviet attacks. wadeable in many places. The commander of the German 429 IR wrote in his report: Supply problems plagued the Second Army, with both home ‘The Hungarian troops had fought very well, and that the and the Germans reluctant to give too much to the Hungarian cause for the failure of the attempt lay with the helplessness of troops in the front line. The Germans seeing their allies as the Hungarian units against enemy armour and the freezing a secondary priority and the Hungarian Government keen weather.’ The Gap in the Hungarian lines had widened to to withhold equipment and supplies to build up the Home 10km wide and 12km deep! Defence Army. On January 14 the Soviet offensive got into full swing and The weather also played a role, armoured troops complained thrusts were made from Stutye and Kantemirovka. The that their 38(t) tanks needed time to warm-up in cold Soviet 18th Rifle Corps smashed through the 12th LD and weather, and that if stationed to close the front lines any moved towards Ostrogosk. The rd3 Tank army attacked the break-through couldn’t be stopped if the tanks weren’t up and XXIV Panzerkorps (26th Tank Corps) encountering resistance running in time. until they committed two tank corps against them, though Several German units were moved into the area to support progress was still slow. the Hungarians: The release of the German 168. ID from reserves on January 168. Infantriedivision 15 allowed the slowing in the Soviet advance on the southern 559. Panzerjager Abteilung (supporting above) flank, but to the north a continuous flow of Soviet troops poured through the gap. The remnants of the Hungarian III 429. Infantrieregiment (between III and IV Corps facing Corps now faced south, their western flank exposed. Other Uryv) Divisions along the front were all under pressure. The th7 and th After the neighbouring Romanian and Italian armies were 12 LD had been destroyed; the Second Hungarian Army crushed the Germans sent further reinforcements the Second sector was quickly running out of men. Army sector, these included: On January 16 it was the 13th LD at Karotyak turn to come th 700. Herespanzerverband under pressure from the Soviet 40 Army. After heavy fighting they withdrew on Ostrogosk where they and the 10th LD and 190. Sturmgeschutz Abteilung German 168. ID became surrounded. The 10th LD lost its th 26. Infantriedivision artillery to the Soviet 18 Rifle Corps when it couldn’t be moved because of lack of horses.

2 Hungarian S st Corps Cramer launched a counter-attack. It stalled the 1 Armoured Field Division pushed the Soviets out. The pecial advance of the Soviet 18th Rifle Corps, but it was called off Hungarian armour then joined the defence of Ilovskoye to when the 1st Armoured Field Division’s flanks were exposed. the north. The Soviets also began to get behind the positions of the VII On 19 and 20 January the defence of Alexeyevka, Ilovskoye Corps, the Second Hungarian Army ordered retreat before R and Ostrogosk continued, and on 20 January the Soviet 40th their position became too exposed. u le s Tank Army turned its attention to the German 2. Armee to Resistance continued in the north by the III Corps, with the north, leaving the 18th Rifle Corps and 3rd Tanks Army to German reinforcement, on 17 January. The Soviet target was finish off the Hungarian Second Army. Alexeyevka and Ilovskoye, Ilovskoya was the gateway to the On January 21 contact was re-established with Ostrogosk and Hungarian retreat. Lead elements of the Soviets 40th Army the last German and Hungarian troops were withdrawn to reached the airfield at Ilovskoya around noon, but fierce Novyi Oskol, meanwhile the 1st Armoured Field Division te- resistance from the Hungarian Airforce ground crew forced naciously held of continued attempts to take Alexeyevka. The them to withdraw. remaining Hungarian troops in the Ostrogosk-Alexeyevka The IV Corps was ordered to retreat on Ostrogosk. By area were grouped together under Corps Cramer, and on 22 evening all communication from the General Jány’s Second January they started withdrawing towards Budyenny and on Hungarian Army HQ were cut, and he no longer had contact to Novyi Oskol. with any of his units. On 22 January the Hungarian Second Army ceased function- On 18 January Hitler declared Ostrogosk a fortress to be ing as a command unit and was moved to the rear to reorganise defended to the last man, trapped inside were the remain- the Hungarians. Those units still capable of fighting remained der of the 10th and 13th LD and German 168. ID and corps with Corps Cramer, under German command. On 25 troops from the III and IV Corps. January, Corps Cramer was reassigned the German 2. Armee, at this time there was still 12,000 Hungarians fighting. As the The VII Corps encountered the left wing of the Soviet 18th front stabilised Hungarian units were sent to the rear where Rifle Corps while withdrawing and when Soviets tanks they began their reorganisation. The Hungarians wouldn’t see appeared to the south their retreat rapidly turned into a rout. any serious fighting again until 1944. The Soviets occupied Alexeyevka, but a counterattack by the

HUNGARIAN SPECIAL RULES

Huszár Preparing for the Coming Storm Descended from Magyar horsemen, has a strong The Hungarians have learnt harsh lessons on the Don front cavalry tradition. Hungarian knights often stood alone during the winter of 1942/43, so now when they prepare for against the Ottoman Turks as the defenders of Europe and defence they prepare well. during the 17th to 19th Centuries they supplied the Habsburg Hungarian platoons may re-roll failed Skill Tests to Empire’s elite light cavalry. Hungarian mobile troops are Dig In. famed for their aggression and wide sweeping movements. Hungarian platoons that are Huszár Platoons are indicated under those platoons. Any Huszár Platoon with a Command team may attempt a Huszár move at the start of the Shooting Step instead of shooting. If a platoon attempts to make a Huszár move, it may not shoot even if it fails to make a Huszár move. Roll a Skill test for each platoon: • If the test is successful, the platoon may move another 4”/10cm, • Otherwise the platoon cannot move this step. All normal rules apply for this movement. Platoons cannot make Huszár moves if they are Pinned Down or have moved At the Double. Bogged Down or Bailed vehicles cannot make Huszár moves. Platoons that are made up entirely of Cavalry teams normally use the Advance at the Gallop rule (see page 202 of the rulebook). However, Hungarian Huszár Platoons that are made up entirely of Cavalry teams instead re-roll failed Skill Tests to make a Huszár move.

3 Huszár Század cavalry Company

(Mechanised Company)

HEADQUARTERS You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box shaded grey.

5 Huszár Század HQ HEADQUARTERS

INFANTRY ARTILLERY ARMOUR 12 German Panzer Platoon 12 German Platoon 6 5 Huszár Platoon Huszár Gun Battery ARMOUR 12 German Panzer Platoon COMBAT PLATOONS COMBAT SUPPORT PLATOONS SUPPORT

INFANTRY PLATOONS WEAPONS 13 German Tank-hunter Platoon

ALLIED PLATOONS 6 5 ANTI-TANK Huszár Platoon Reserve Anti-tank Platoon 13 Dismounted Huszár 6 German Anti-tank Platoon Gun Platoon German Platoons in your INFANTRY force are Allies and follow INFANTRY 9 the Allies rules on page 70 Kerékpáros Platoon

of the rulebook. 7 Puskás Platoon 5 Huszár Platoon 6 Dismounted Huszár 10 INFANTRY Platoon Assault Pioneer Platoon

14 German Grenadier Platoon

ARTILLERY 7 Corps Medium Howitzer Battery German Motorised 14 Artillery Battery

ARTILLERY 7 Corps Medium Howitzer Battery

ANTI-AIRCRAFT 11 Anti-aircraft Platoon 11 Heavy Anti-aircraft Platoon

AIRCRAFT 11 Air Support

4 Hungarian H

Motivation and Skill us zár RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT Huszárs are the famed light cavalry of Hungary. Like many nations in the age of modern CONFIDENT TRAINED warfare the Huszárs have adapted to fight on foot as equally well as they do on horse back. FEARLESS VETERAN

A Huszár Század is rated as Confident Trained. S zázad

HEADQUARTERS

Huszár Század HQ Százados Százados Headquarters Company HQ 25 points Company Command 2iC Command Options Cavalry Rifle team Cavalry Rifle team Company HQ • Replace either or both Command Cavalry Rifle teams with Command Páncélvadász Cavalry Rifle Ormester teams for +5 points per team. • Add Machine-gun Section for +40 points. Cavalry 7/31M HMG Cavalry 7/31M HMG Each Division and Corps had Huszár cavalry available for Machine-gun Section reconnaissance and reserve duties, and in October 1942 HUSzár Század HQ these were pressed into reserve support the Infantry Corps deployed along the Don river. A Huszár Század HQ is a Huszár Platoon. A total of six Huszár companies (two battalions) were avail- able to each Corps.

COMBAT PLATOONS

Huszár Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Platoon HQ Section with: 3 Huszár Squads 170 points Command Cavalry Rifle/MG team 2 Huszár Squads 120 points HQ Section

Option Törzsörmester Ormester • Replace Command Cavalry Rifle/MG team with

a Command Páncélvadász Cavalry SMG team for Cavalry Rifle/MG team Cavalry Rifle/MG team +5 points.

Cavalry Rifle/MG team Cavalry Rifle/MG team A Huszár Platoon is a Huszár and Reconnaissance Platoon. Huszár Squad Huszár Squad Ormester Hungary’s famed cavalry the Huszárs continued their fine tradition on into the war, but they have retrained, and are now just as capable on foot as they are on horseback. Now Cavalry Rifle/MG team Cavalry Rifle/MG team they are poised ready to stop any Soviet breakthrough. Huszár Squad Huszár Platoon

5 Dismounted Huszár Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Platoon HQ Section with: Command Rifle/MG team 3 Huszár Squads 110 points HQ Section 2 Huszár Squads 80 points Törzsörmester Ormester Option • Replace Command Rifle/MG team with a Command Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Páncélvadász SMG team for +5 points. HuszáR Squad HuszáR Squad Ormester

A Dismounted Huszár Platoon is a Huszár Platoon. Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Some operations called on some of the Huszárs to dismount HuszáR Squad and fight on foot. Dismounted Huszár Platoon WEAPONS PLATOONS

Huszár Gun Battery FÖhadnagy FÖhadnagy Platoon HQ Section with: Command Cavalry Observer Cavalry 4 80mm 5/8M 145 points Rifle team Rifle team 2 80mm 5/8M 85 points

Option TÖrzsÖrmester Örmester • Add horse-drawn limbers at no cost. 80mm 5/8M gun 80mm 5/8M gun

A Huszár Gun Battery is Horse Artillery (see page 118 of the rulebook) and a Hussar Platoon. Horse-drawn limber Horse-drawn limber

The Huszár gun Battery keeps pace with the Huszárs and is 80mm 5/8M gun 80mm 5/8M gun able to deploy and fire with a moments notice.

Armed with the same 80mm 5/8M gun as the field artillery, Horse-drawn limber Horse-drawn limber this old but light gun is easily to handle and can be towed rapidly behind a six-horse cavalry limber. Huszár Gun Battery SUPPORT PLATOONS

Reserve Anti-tank Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Platoon

HQ Section with: Command Rifle team 2 37mm 36M 40 points HQ Section

2 40mm 40M 45 points Ormester Ormester 2 50mm 38M 60 points Anti-tank gun Anti-tank gun 2 75mm 97/38M 65 points Horse-drawn limber Horse-drawn limber Options Anti-tank Section Anti-tank Section • Add horse-drawn limbers at no cost. Reserve Anti-Tank Platoon • Mount Command Rifle team as Command Cavalry Rifle team for +5 points. A Reserve Anti-tank Platoon is Horse Artillery (see page 118 of the rulebook) and a Hussar Platoon. 6 Hungarian H

Corps Medium Howitzer Battery FÖhadnagy us zár FÖhadnagy Platoon

HQ Section with: S Command Staff team Horse-drawn wagon Observer 4 149mm 14/31M 240 points Rifle team Rifle team zázad 2 149mm 14/31M 125 points TÖrzsÖrmester Örmester Options • Add horse-drawn wagon and limbers at no cost. • Replace horse-drawn wagon with a 3-ton truck 149mm 14/31M howitzer 149mm 14/31M howitzer and horse-drawn limbers with artillery tractors for +5 points for the battery. Horse-drawn limber Horse-drawn limber

The artillery of the Infantry Corps consisted entirely of 149mm 14/35M Skoda Howitizers. These medium guns 149mm 14/31M howitzer 149mm 14/31M howitzer were used normally to support the lighter artillery when a little extra punch was required. With each Corps taking Horse-drawn limber Horse-drawn limber charge of its own front’s reserves a few batteries could be called on to support any counter-attacks from the reserve forces. Corps Medium Howitzer Battery

Puskás Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Platoon HQ Section with: Command Rifle team 3 Puskás Squads 120 points HQ Section 2 Puskás Squads 85 points Törzsörmester Ormester Option • Replace Command Rifle team with a Command Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Páncélvadász Rifle team for +5 points, or a Command Páncélvadász SMG team for +10 points. • Upgrade all Rifle teams to Rifle/MG teams for Rifle team Rifle team +15 points per Puskás Squad. Puskás Squad Puskás Squad Ormester

Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Puskás Squad PusKás Platoon

7 Kerékpáros Század Bicycle Infantry Company

(Infantry Company)

HEADQUARTERS You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each box shaded grey.

Kerékpáros 9 Század HQ HEADQUARTERS

INFANTRY MACHINE-GUNS ARMOUR 12 German Panzer Platoon 12 German Assault Gun Platoon 10 9 Kerékpáros Machine-gun Kerékpáros Platoon Platoon ARMOUR 12 German Panzer Platoon COMBAT PLATOONS COMBAT SUPPORT PLATOONS SUPPORT

INFANTRY PLATOONS WEAPONS ARTILLERY 13 German Tank-hunter Platoon

10 9 Kerékpáros ANTI-TANK 6 Kerékpáros Platoon Mortar Platoon Reserve Anti-tank Platoon 13 German Anti-tank Gun Platoon INFANTRY ALLIED PLATOONS INFANTRY 5 Huszár Platoon

9 7 Kerékpáros Platoon German Platoons in your Puskás Platoon force are Allies and follow the Allies rules on page 70 INFANTRY 10 of the rulebook. Assault Pioneer Platoon 14 German Grenadier Platoon

ARTILLERY 7 Corps Medium Howitzer Battery

14 German Motorised Artillery Battery

ARTILLERY 7 Corps Medium Howitzer Battery

ANTI-AIRCRAFT 11 Anti-aircraft Platoon 11 Heavy Anti-aircraft Platoon

AIRCRAFT 11 Air Support

8 Hungarian K

Motivation and Skill erékpáro s RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT The men of the Kerékpáros Század are some of the longest serving soldiers of Hungary’s army. CONFIDENT TRAINED They are well trained and experienced soldiers. A Kerékpáros Század is rated as Confident Trained. FEARLESS VETERAN S

HEADQUARTERS zázad

Kerékpáros Század HQ Százados Százados Headquarters Company HQ 25 points Company Command 2iC Command Rifle team Rifle team Options Company HQ • Replace either or all Command Rifle teams with Command Páncélvadász Rifle teams for +5 points Ormester per team.

• Add Light Mortar Section for +30 points. Light Mortar Light Mortar team team Each Hungarian Corps had a compliment of Bicycle troops Light Mortar Section (2 Companies) who fulfilled the reconnaissance role along- Kerékpáros Század HQ side the cavalry as well as acting as an infantry reserve. These companies of infantry also come with supporting platoons could call on some of the Corps assets to assist them in of mortars and machine-guns. When acting as reserve they battle, Huszárs, medium artillery, anti-aircraft and pioneers were available to help the stop any Soviet breakthrough.

COMBAT PLATOONS

Kerékpáros Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Platoon HQ Section with: Command Rifle/MG team 3 Scout Squads 145 points HQ Section 2 Scout Squads 105 points Törzsörmester örmester Option • Replace the Command Rifle/MG team with a Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Command Páncélvadász SMG team for +5 points. Scout Squad Scout Squad örmester A Kerékpáros Platoon is a Reconnaissance Platoon.

The Kerékpáros Szakasz (Bicycle Platoon) trained to Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team used their bicycles to get to the battle, but one there they Scout Squad engaged the enemy on foot like any other infantry. During the winter of 1942-43 they were retrained as sky troops to Kerékpáros Platoon further increase their mobility in the harsh Russian climate. They also used their skill and mobility to spy-out the enemy positions.

9 WEAPONS PLATOONS

Kerékpáros Machine-gun Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Platoon

HQ Section with: Command Rifle team 2 Machine-gun Sections 60 points HQ Section

Ormester Tizedes A Kerékpáros Machine-gun Platoon may make Combat Attachments to Combat Platoons. 7/31M HMG 7/31M HMG Machine-gun Section Machine-gun Section The Bicycle Battalion also had a small Machine-gun Platoon Kerékpáros Machine-gun Platoon to support the Kerékpáros Platoons during large recon- naissance operations, giving covering fire and allowing the During their duty in reserve they are the only machine-gun infanty to disengage from larger enemy forces. support available to the Bicycle Battalions.

Kerékpáros Mortar Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Platoon HQ Section with: Command Observer Rifle 2 Mortar Sections 60 points Rifle team team HQ Section The Mortars were part of the Bicycle Battalion to give Ormester Ormester covering fire during recon duties, but in late 1942 found themselves the only mortar support available to the Corps reserve troops. 81mm 36/39M 81mm 36/39M mortar mortar Mortar Section Mortar Section Kerékpáros Mortar Platoon

SUPPORT PLATOONS

Assault Pioneer Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Törzsörmester Platoon HQ Section with: Command Pioneer Pioneer Pioneer 3 Pioneer Sections 275 points Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team 2 Pioneer Sections 190 points 1 Pioneer Section 105 points Pioneer Supply Pioneer 3-ton truck 3-ton truck Rifle team Options HQ Section Pioneer Section • Replace all Pioneer Rifle teams with Pioneer Rifle/ Ormester Ormester MG teams for +20 points per Pionier Section. • Add 3-ton trucks for +5 points for the platoon. Pioneer Pioneer Pioneer Pioneer • Add Pioneer Supply 3-ton truck for +25 points. Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team

Hungarian combat engineers are highly skilled professionals Pioneer 3-ton truck Pioneer 3-ton truck and perform well whatever division they are attached to. An Rifle team Rifle team Assault Pioneer Platoon Pioneer Section Pioneer Section CONFIDENT VETERAN is rated Assault Pioneer Platoon

You may replace up to two Pioneer Rifle or Pioneer Rifle/ MG teams with Flame-thrower teams at the start of the game before deployment. 10 Hungarian K erékpáro s Anti-aircraft Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Platoon HQ Section with: Command Rifle team 2 40mm 36M 50 points HQ Section S

ption zázad O Örmester Tizedes • Add 3-ton trucks for +5 points for the platoon.

The standard anti-aircraft weapon of all Hungarian divisions is the Swedish designed 40mm Bofors gun. This modern and 40mm 36M gun 40mm 36M gun very effective anti-aircraft weapon is ideal for protecting your troops from roaming Allied ground-attack aircraft. 3-ton truck 3-ton truck The Bofors gun’s excellent rate-of-fire also makes it an effec- Anti-aircraft Section Anti-aircraft Section tive weapon against ground targets. Anti-aircraft Platoon

Heavy Anti-aircraft Platoon Hadnagy Hadnagy Platoon HQ Section with: Command Rifle team 2 80mm 29/38M guns 120 points HQ Section

Options Örmester Tizedes • Model all 80mm 29/38M gun with eight or more crew and increase their ROF to 3 for +10 points per gun. 80mm 29/38M gun 80mm 29/38M gun • Add 3-ton trucks for +5 points for the platoon.

Hungarian heavy anti-aircraft fire was provided by the men 3-ton truck 3-ton truck manning the 80mm 29/38M guns. These Bofors-designed Anti-aircraft Section Anti-aircraft Section guns also made good anti-tank weapons when desperation Heavy Anti-aircraft Platoon called for it.

Air Support Hadnagy Hadnagy Sporadic Air support Ju 87D Stuka 100 points

The 2. Hungarian Air Force Brigade was formed in March 1942 to cover the Hungarian Second Army in Russia. The Aircraft brigade provided reconnaissance, fighter, transport and Flight bomber groups. However, due to the aging nature of the Hungarian air fleet direct air support was provided by the Air Support German Luftwaffe armed with Ju 87D dive bombers.

11 German Support

Motivation and Skill RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT During the fighting on the Don River the Hungarian infantry formations were supported CONFIDENT TRAINED by German troops. The Germans are rated Confident Veteran, and are Allied Platoons. FEARLESS VETERAN

German Panzer Platoon Leutnant Leutnant Platoon 5 Panzer 38(t) 300 points 4 Panzer 38(t) 240 points Command Panzer 38(t) 3 Panzer 38(t) 180 points HQ Section

Unteroffizier Unteroffizier On 13 January a counter-attack was launched at the Uryv bulge by the four battalions of the III Corps reserves sup- ported by the German 700. Herespanzerverband. By the end Panzer 38(t) Panzer 38(t) Panzer 38(t) Panzer 38(t) of the day the German Panzer force had just four Panzer 38(t)s remaining. The Hungarian troops engaged had been Panzer Section Panzer Section smashed by continuous and un-relenting Soviet attacks. Panzer Platoon

German Assault Gun Platoon Leutnant Leutnant Platoon 3 StuG E 280 points 2 StuG E 190 points Command Assault Gun HQ Section 3 StuG F 420 points 2 StuG F 280 points Unteroffizier Unteroffizier 3 StuG F/8, G, or StuH42 510 points

2 StuG F/8, G, or StuH42 340 points Assault Gun Assault Gun ASSAULT GUN ASSAULT GUN 2 StuG G and 1 StuH42 510 points SECTION SECTION 1 StuG G and 1 StuH42 340 points Assault gun Platoon Option The German artillery devised the concept of theBegleitbatterie • Add Schürzen side skirts to any StuG F/8, StuG G (escort battery) to support the advancing infantry better assault guns or StuH42 assault howitzers for than the towed infantry guns could. The StuG assault gun fit +5 points per gun. this need for an armoured self-propelled gun to work under infantry control. Assault guns were crewed by artillerymen.

12 Hungarian G erman German Tank-hunter Platoon Leutnant Leutnant Platoon 4 Marder I 290 points S

3 Marder I 220 points Command tank-hunter u pport 2 Marder I 150 points HQ Section

4 Marder II 360 points Unteroffizier Unteroffizier 3 Marder II 270 points 2 Marder II 180 points 4 Marder III (7.62cm) 325 points Tank-hunter Tank-hunter Tank-hunter Tank-hunter 3 Marder III (7.62cm) 245 points SECTION SECTION 2 Marder III (7.62cm) 165 points Unteroffizier 4 Marder III H 360 points 3 Marder III H 270 points Tank-hunter 2 Marder III H 180 points Tank-hunter SECTION The German independent divisional tank-hunter battalions Tank-hunter Platoon started receiving the far more powerful Marder II and III tank-hunters (or even in the case of several infantry divisions the Marder I on an obsolete French supply carrier) from the middle of 1942 ready for the advance to Stalingrad.

German Anti-tank Gun Platoon Leutnant Leutnant Platoon HQ Section with: Command SMG team Kfz 15 field car 4 5cm PaK38 160 points HQ Section 3 5cm PaK38 120 points 2 5cm PaK38 80 points Unteroffizier Unteroffizier 4 7.5cm PaK97/38 165 points Anti-tank gun Anti-tank gun 3 7.5cm PaK97/38 125 points 2 7.5cm PaK97/38 85 points 4 7.62cm PaK36(r) 245 points 3-ton truck 3-ton truck 3 7.62cm PaK36(r) 185 points Anti-tank gun Anti-tank gun 2 7.62cm PaK36(r) 125 points 4 7.5cm PaK40 290 points 3 7.5cm PaK40 220 points 3-ton truck 3-ton truck Anti-tank Anti-tank 2 7.5cm PaK40 150 points gun Section gun Section Options Anti-tank gun Platoon • Add Kfz 15 field car and 3-ton trucks for +5 points The Germans never had enough of the powerful 7.5cm for the platoon. PaK40 anti-tank gun, so the infantry divisions had to make • Replace all 3-ton trucks with Sd Kfz 10 or Sd Kfz 11 do with the 7.5cm PaK97/38, an old French gun mounted half-tracks for +5 points for the platoon. on a PaK38 chassis or captured Russian 7.62cm guns re- chambered for German ammunition.

13 German Grenadier Platoon Leutnant Leutnant Platoon HQ Section with: Command Light Mortar 3 Grenadier Squads 155 points Rifle/MG team team 2 Grenadier Squads 110 points HQ Section

Options Unteroffizier Unteroffizier • Replace Command Rifle/MG team with a Command Panzerknacker SMG team for +5 points. Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team • Add Light Mortar team for +15 points.

Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team The humble German grenadier fought alongside the Grenadier Squad Grenadier Squad Hungarians throughout the battles on the Don in 1942 and early 1943. Unteroffizier

Rifle/MG team Rifle/MG team Grenadier Squad Grenadier Platoon

German Motorised Artillery Battery

Platoon HQ Section and: 2 Gun Sections with: 4 10.5cm leFH18 245 points 1 Gun Section with: 2 10.5cm leFH18 130 points 2 Gun Sections with: 4 15cm sFH18 430 points 1 Gun Section with: Howitzer Howitzer 2 15cm sFH18 225 points

Options • Add Kfz 15 field car, Kfz 68 radio truck and Sd Kfz 11 or Sd Kfz 7 half-tracks for +5 points for the Howitzer Howitzer battery. • Replace all Kübelwagon jeeps with Sd Kfz 250 or Sd Kfz 253 half-tracks for +5 points.

When available German artillery often supported Hungarian Motorised Artillery Battery operations. Towed artillery provides a good balance between cost and effectiveness. The 10.5cm howitzer is readily avail- able, backed up by the heavier 15cm howitzer for the tougher targets.

14 Hungarian A r s enal Arsenal

TANK TEAMS

Armour Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower German Tanks Panzer 38(t) Standard Tank 3 1 1 Co-ax, Hull MG, Protected ammo. 3.7cm KwK38(t) gun 24”/60cm 2 6 4+ German Assault Guns StuG E Standard Tank 5 3 1 AA MG, Protected ammo. 7.5cm StuK36 gun 24”/60cm 2 9 3+ Hull mounted. StuG F Standard Tank 5 3 1 AA MG, Protected ammo. 7.5cm StuK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 11 3+ Hull mounted. StuG F/8 or G Standard Tank 7 3 1 Hull MG, Protected ammo. 7.5cm StuK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 11 3+ Hull mounted. StuH42 Standard Tank 7 3 1 Hull MG, Protected ammo. 10.5cm StuH42 gun 32”/80cm 2 10 2+ Breakthrough gun, Hull mounted, Smoke. German Tank Hunters Marder I Slow Tank 0 0 0 AA MG, Overloaded. 7.5cm PaK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Hull mounted. Marder II Standard Tank 1 0 0 AA MG. 7.5cm PaK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Hull mounted. Marder III (7.62cm) Standard Tank 1 0 0 Hull MG. 7.62ccm KwK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 11 3+ Hull mounted. Marder III H Standard Tank 1 0 0 Hull MG, 7.5cm PaK40 gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Hull mounted. Vehicle Machine-guns Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 1 if other weapons fire.

TRANSPORT TEAMS

Armour Vehicle Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Trucks Kübelwagen or Kfz 15 field car Jeep - - - Botond, 3-ton, Kfz 68 radio, or Kfz 70 truck Wheeled - - - Horse-drawn wagon Wagon - - - Tractors Horse-drawn limber Wagon - - - Sd Kfz 10 or Sd Kfz 11 tractor Half-tracked - - - Artillery Tractor Slow Tank - - - Armoured Personnel Carriers Sd Kfz 250 half-track Half-tracked 1 0 0 Hull MG, Passenger-fired AA MG. Sd Kfz 253 half-track Half-tracked 1 0 1 AA MG.

15 GUN TEAMS

Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes Hungarian Guns 7/31M HMG Man-packed 24”/60cm 6 2 6 ROF 3 when pinned down or moving. 81mm 36/39M mortar Man-packed 24”/60cm 2 2 3+ Minimum range 8”/20cm, Smoke. Firing bombardments 40”/100cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment. 37mm 36M gun Light 24”/60cm 3 6 4+ Gun shield. firing Stielgranate 8”/20cm 1 12 5+ 40mm 40M gun Light 24”/60cm 3 7 4+ Gun shield. firing Stielgranate 8”/20cm 1 12 5+ 50mm 38M gun Medium 24”/60cm 3 9 4+ Gun shield. 75mm 97/38M gun Medium 24”/60cm 2 10 3+ Gun shield. 75mm 40M gun Medium 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Gun shield. 40mm 36M Bofors gun Immobile 24”/60cm 4 7 4+ Anti-aircraft, Turntable. 80mm 29/38M Bofors gun Immobile 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Heavy anti-aircraft, Turntable. 80mm 5/8M gun Heavy 24”/60cm 2 8 3+ Gun shield, Smoke. Firing bombardments 64”/160cm - 3 6 Smoke bombardment. 149mm 14/31M howitzer Immobile 16”/40cm 1 8 1+ Bunker buster, Gun shield. Firing bombardments 72”/180cm - 5 2+ German Guns 5cm PaK38 gun Medium 24”/60cm 3 9 4+ Gun shield. 7.5cm PaK97/38 gun Medium 24”/60cm 2 10 3+ Gun shield. 7.62cm PaK36(r) gun Medium 32”/80cm 2 11 3+ Gun shield. 7.5cm PaK40 gun Medium 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Gun shield. 10.5cm leFH18 howitzer Immobile 24”/60cm 1 10 2+ Breakthrough gun, Gun shield, Smoke. Firing bombardments 72”/180cm - 4 4+ Smoke bombardment. 15cm sFH18 howitzer Immobile 24”/60cm 1 13 1+ Bunker buster, Smoke. Firing bombardments 80”/200cm - 5 2+ Smoke bombardment.

INFANTRY TEAMS

Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes Rifle team 16”/40cm 1 2 6 Rifle/MG team 16”/40cm 2 2 6 SMG team 4”/10cm 3 1 6 Full ROF when moving. Light Mortar team 16”40cm 1 1 4+ Can fire over friendly teams. Flame-thrower team 4”/10cm 2 - 6 Flame-thrower. Staff team 16”/40cm 1 2 6 Moves as a Heavy Gun team. Additional Training and Equipment

Páncélvadász and Pioneer teams are rated as Tank Assault 4. Panzerknacker teams are rated as Tank Assault 5.

AIRCRAFT

Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower Notes Ju 87D Stuka Bombs 4+ 5 1+

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